Tyrosinase/laccase bienzyme biosensor for amperometric determination of phenolic compounds

Tyrosinase/laccase bienzyme biosensor for amperometric determination of phenolic compounds was constructed. Enzymes were immobilized in titania gel matrix. The obtained biosensor was successfully used for determination of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 4-tertbutylcatechol, 4-methylcatechol, 3-chlorophenol and catechol. The highest sensitivity and the widest linear range were noticed for catechol, 234 mA L mol^− 1 and 2.0 × 10^− 7–3.2 × 10^− 5 mol/L, respectively. Detection limit for catechol, at signal-to-noise ratio of 3 was 1.3 × 10^− 7 mol/L.     

An amperometric biosensor based on peroxidases from Brassica napus for the determination of the total polyphenolic content in wine and tea samples

An amperometric biosensor based on peroxidases from Brassica napus hairy roots (PBHR) used to determine the total polyphenolic content in wine and tea samples is proposed by the first time. The method employs carbon paste (CP) electrodes filled up with PBHR, ferrocene (Fc), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in a mineral oil (MWCNT + MO) at a given composition (PBHR-Fc-MWCNT + MO). The biosensor was covered externally with a dialysis membrane, which was fixed at the electrode body side part with a Teflon laboratory film and an O-ring. Calibration curves obtained from steady-state currents as a function of the concentration of a polyphenolic standard reference compound such as t-resveratrol (t-Res) or caffeic acid (CA) were then used to estimate the total polyphenolic content in real samples. The reproducibility and the repeatability were of 7.0% and 4.1% for t-Res (8.4% and 5.2% for CA), respectively, showing a good biosensor performance. The calibration curves were linear in a concentration range from 0.05 to 52 mg L⁻¹ and 0.06 to 69 mg L⁻¹ for t-Res and CA, respectively. The lowest polyphenolic compound concentration values measured experimentally for a signal to noise ratio of 3:1 were 0.023 mg L⁻¹ and 0.020 mg L⁻¹ for t-Res and CA, respectively.     

A new amperometric bienzymatic biosensor based on biocomposites for the determination of gluconic acid in wines

A new amperometric bienzymatic biosensor for gluconic acid based on the coimmobilization of gluconokinase (EC 2.7.1.12) and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.44) by polysulfone membrane entrapment onto the surface of a graphite-epoxy composite is reported. This biosensor represents an alternative to gluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99.3) based methods, which is no longer commercially available. Measurements were done at an applied potential of +0.800 V, room temperature and phosphate buffer pH 7.50; obtaining a linear response range for gluconic acid extended from 7.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.5 × 10⁻⁴ M. Constructed biosensors showed good reproducibility for calibrations using different electrodes (RSD of 1.74%). Finally, biosensor was applied to real wine samples, and the results obtained were validated by comparison with those provided by a reference laboratory. Good correlation was found when the biosensor results were plotted vs. the reference values (slope = 1.03 ± 0.04, intercept = 0.01 ± 0.02, r² = 0.995).     

Bilayer lipid membrane biosensor with enhanced stability for amperometric determination of hydrogen peroxide

In this paper, a polydopamine (PDA) film is electropolymerized on the surface of bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) which is immobilized with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The coverage of the PDA film on HRP/BLM electrode is monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂ at the PDA/HRP/BLM electrode is studied by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV). The biosensor has a fast response to H₂O₂ of less than 5 s and an excellent linear relationship is obtained in the concentration range from 2.5 × 10⁻⁷ to 3.1 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). The response current of BLM/HRP/PDA biosensor retains 84% of its original response after being stored in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ pH 7.0 PBS at 4 °C for 3 weeks. The selectivity, repeatability, and storage stability of PDA/HRP/BLM biosensor are greatly enhanced by the coverage of polydopamine film on BLM.     

A peroxidase-tetrathiafulvalene biosensor based on self-assembled monolayer modified Au electrodes for the flow-injection determination of hydrogen peroxide

The construction and performance under flow-injection conditions of an integrated amperometric biosensor for hydrogen peroxide is reported. The design of the bioelectrode is based on a mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) modified gold disk electrode on which horseradish peroxidase (HRP, 24.3 U) was immobilized by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde together with the mediator tetrathiafulvalene (TTF, 1 μmol), which was entrapped in the three-dimensional aggregate formed.

The amperometric biosensor allows the obtention of reproducible flow injection amperometric responses at an applied potential of 0.00 V in 0.05 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer, pH 7.0 (flow rate: 1.40 mL min⁻¹, injection volume: 150 μL), with a range of linearity for hydrogen peroxide within the 2.0 × 10⁻⁷–1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ concentration range (slope: (2.33 ± 0.02) × 10⁻² A mol⁻¹ L, r = 0.999). A detection limit of 6.9 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ was obtained together with a R.S.D. (n = 50) of 2.7% for a hydrogen peroxide concentration level of 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹. The immobilization method showed a good reproducibility with a R.S.D. of 5.3% for five different electrodes. Moreover, the useful lifetime of one single biosensor was estimated in 13 days.

The SAM-based biosensor was applied for the determination of hydrogen peroxide in rainwater and in a hair dye. The results obtained were validated by comparison with those obtained with a spectrophotometric reference method. In addition, the recovery of hydrogen peroxide in sterilised milk was tested.     

Reagentless amperometric formaldehyde-selective biosensors based on the recombinant yeast formaldehyde dehydrogenase

Novel formaldehyde-selective amperometric biosensors were developed based on NAD(+)- and glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase isolated from a gene-engineered strain of the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha. Electron transfer between the immobilized enzyme and a platinized graphite electrode was established using a number of different low-molecular free-diffusing redox mediators or positively charged cathodic electrodeposition paints modified with Os-bis-N,N-(2,2'-bipyridil)-chloride ([Os(bpy)(2)Cl]) complexes. Among five tested Os-containing redox polymers of different chemical structure and properties, complexes of osmium-modified poly(4-vinylpyridine) with molecular mass of about 60 kDa containing diaminopropyl groups were selected. The positively charged cathodic paint exhibited the best electron-transfer characteristics. Moreover, the polymer layers simultaneously served as a matrix for keeping the negatively charged low-molecular cofactors, glutathione and NAD(+), in the bioactive layer. Additionally, covering the enzyme/polymer layer with a negatively charged Nafion membrane significantly decreased cofactors leakage and simultaneously enhanced the sensor' stability. The developed sensors revealed a high selectivity to formaldehyde (FA) and a low cross-sensitivity to other substances (such as, e.g. butyraldehyde, propionaldehyde, acetaldehyde, methylglyoxal). The maximum current value was 34.2+/-0.72 microA/mm(2) (3.05 mm diameter electrode) and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K(M)(app)) derived from the FA calibration curves was 120+/-5mM with a linear detection range for FA up to 20mM. The best observed sensitivity for reagentless sensor was 1.8 nA microM(-1) (358 Am(-2)M(-1)). The developed sensors had a good operational and storage stability. The laboratory prototype of the sensor was applied for FA testing in some real samples of pharmaceutical (formidron), disinfectant (descoton forte) and industrial product (formalin). A good correlation was revealed between the concentration values measured using the developed FdDH-based sensor, an enzymatic method and standard chemical methods of FA determination.     

Porous redox-active Cu2O-SiO2 nanostructured film: Preparation, characterization and application for a label-free amperometric ferritin immunosensor

A novel Cu₂O-SiO₂ nanostructured particle was synthesized by a solution-phase method and was adopted for construction of a label-free amperometric immunosensor. The porous Cu₂O-SiO₂ nanoparticles had good redox electrochemical activity, large surface-to-volume ratio, film-forming ability and high stability. The physical morphology and structure of Cu₂O-SiO₂ nanoparticles were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The chemical component of Cu₂O-SiO₂ was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and auger electron spectra (AES). The electrode modification process was probed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and the performance of the immunosensor was studied by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurements. To improve the analytical characteristics of the immunosensor, the experimental conditions were optimized. The immunosensor exhibited a good response to ferritin in ranges from 1.0 to 5.0 and 5.0 to 120.0 ng mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.4 ng mL⁻¹. The fabricated immunosensor could make a low-cost, sensitive, quantitative detection of ferritin, and would have a potential application in clinical immunoassays.     

Non-invasive determination of glucose directly in raw fruits using a continuous flow system based on microdialysis sampling and amperometric detection at an integrated enzymatic biosensor

A non-destructive, rapid and simple to use sensing method for direct determination of glucose in non-processed fruits is described. The strategy involved on-line microdialysis sampling coupled with a continuous flow system with amperometric detection at an enzymatic biosensor. Apart from direct determination of glucose in fruit juices and blended fruits, this work describes for the first time the successful application of an enzymatic biosensor-based electrochemical approach to the non-invasive determination of glucose in raw fruits. The methodology correlates, through previous calibration set-up, the amperometric signal generated from glucose in non-processed fruits with its content in % (w/w). The comparison of the obtained results using the proposed approach in different fruits with those provided by other method involving the same commercial biosensor as amperometric detector in stirred solutions pointed out that there were no significant differences. Moreover, in comparison with other available methodologies, this microdialysis-coupled continuous flow system amperometric biosensor-based procedure features straightforward sample preparation, low cost, reduced assay time (sampling rate of 7 h⁻¹) and ease of automation.     

Mesoporous MnO2 as enzyme immobilization host for amperometric glucose biosensor construction

Mesoporous MnO₂ (mesoMnO₂) is synthesized facilely through sol–gel process using nonionic surfactant polyxyethylene fatty alcohol (AEO₉) as template. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherm show that the obtained mesoMnO₂ material presents disordered porous structure and appropriate pore size suitable for the immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx). An amperometric glucose biosensor based on GOx entrapped in mesoMnO₂ is fabricated, in which mesoMnO₂ also acts as a catalyst for the electrochemical oxidation of H₂O₂ produced by enzyme reaction. The biosensor shows fast and sensitive current response to glucose in the linear range of 0.0009–2.73 mM. The response time (t_95%) is less than 7 s. The sensitivity and detection limit are 24.2 μA cm⁻² mM⁻¹ and 1.8 × 10⁻⁷ M (S/N = 3), respectively. This indicates that mesoMnO₂ has promising application in enzyme immobilization and biosensor construction.     

A microcalorimetric sensor for food and cosmetic analyses: l-Malic acid determination

Enzymatic microcalorimetry has been successfully employed in the reliable determination of the l-malic acid concentration in some foods and cosmetic products. The l-malic acid concentration during the wine-making process is particularly useful in order to control the progress of the malo-lactic fermentation. Total acidity, taste and flavour characteristics of wine depend on the l-malic acid quantity still present.To point out the analytical methodology the dehydration process of l-malic acid, in the presence of Fumarase enzyme, has been used. The new method has been compared with a common spectrophotometric one.By the proposed calorimetric method the l-malic acid concentration in different types of food (white and red wines, fruits and soft beverages) has been determined. In some cosmetic products too the l-malic acid was quantified.The method outlined resulted simple, direct and reliable (good accuracy and precision), in particular it does not require any pre-treatment or clean up of the samples, save the dilution in buffer.     

Size dependence of SiO2 particles enhanced glucose biosensor

A wide size range of SiO₂ particles were synthesized and were used as enzyme immobilization carriers to fabricate glucose biosensors. The size of the particles was in the range of 17-520 nm. These biosensors could be operated under physiological conditions (0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.2). Particle size could affect the performance of SiO₂ modified glucose biosensors drastically. The smaller particles had higher performance. The smallest SiO₂ modified biosensor could work well in the glucose concentration range of 0.02-10 mM with a correlation coefficient of 0.9993. Its sensitivity was 2.08 μA/mM and the detection limit was 1.5 μM glucose.     

HPLC monitored synthesis of R2NCH2 substituted benzene derivatives used as (C,N)-ligands for organometallic compounds

2-(Diethylaminomethyl)phenyl bromide and 1,3-bis(dimethylaminomethyl)-benzene, useful ligands for the synthesis of hypervalent organometallic compounds, were prepared and characterized by NMR (¹H, ¹³C, 2D experiments) spectroscopy. Their synthesis was monitored by the HPLC method. The compounds were eluted on a Nucleosil 120 Si column (5 μm, 25×0.4 cm) with n-hexane at room temperature using a 1.0 ml/min flow-rate. The maximum values of absorbance for the studied compounds, excepting the diethylamine, were located in a narrow range around 212 nm, the wavelength used for their UV detection. The diethylamine was detected at 190 nm. The calibration curves are straight lines with correlation factors r>0.995. The HPLC data are in good agreement with those provided by NMR spectroscopy.     

A composite amperometric tyrosinase biosensor for the determination of the additive propyl gallate in foodstuffs

The performance of a graphite-Teflon composite amperometric tyrosinase biosensor for the determination of the food additive propyl gallate (PG) in different types of foodstuffs is reported. The enzyme reaction involves the catalytic oxidation of PG to the corresponding o-quinone, and the electrochemical reduction of this o-quinone was employed to monitor the enzyme reaction. Depending on the nature of the food sample analysed and on the presence of other phenolic antioxidants in these samples, aqueous buffer solutions or predominantly nonaqueous acetonitrile-Tris buffer mixtures were employed as working media. Experimental conditions such as the aqueous solution percentage in the predominantly nonaqueous medium, pH, and the potential to be applied were optimised. Control charts constructed showed a useful lifetime for the biosensor of 40 days when working in phosphate buffer of pH 6.5, and of 50 days in 80:20 acetonitrile-Tris buffer (pH 7.4) mixture. The limits of detection obtained for PG in these media were 9.0×10⁻⁷ and 1.1×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹, respectively. The composite bioelectrode also performed well in the flow-injection mode. PG was determined in dehydrated broth bars using the phosphate buffer solution of pH 6.5 as working medium. However, PG was determined in spiked olive oil in the working medium formed by the 80:20 acetonitrile-Tris buffer mixture, because a liquid-liquid extraction step was carried out. Comparison of the results with those obtained by applying reference methods showed that no significant differences existed at a significance level of 0.05.     

A novel amperometric biosensor for the detection of nitrophenol

We report on a novel amperometric biosensor for detecting phenolic compounds based on the co-immobilization of horseradish-peroxidase (HRP) and methylene blue (MB) with chitosan on Au-modified TiO₂ nanotube arrays. The titania nanotube arrays were directly grown on a Ti substrate using anodic oxidation first; a gold thin film was then coated onto the TiO₂ nanotubes by an argon plasma technique. The morphology and composition of the fabricated Au-modified TiO₂ nanotube arrays were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry were used to study the proposed electrochemical biosensor. The effect of pH, applied electrode potential and the concentration of H₂O₂ on the sensitivity of the biosensor have been systemically investigated. The performance of the proposed biosensor was tested using seven different phenolic compounds, showing very high sensitivity; in particular, the linearity of the biosensor for the detection of 3-nitrophenol was observed from 3 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.2 × 10⁻⁴ M with a detection limit of 9 × 10⁻⁸ M (based on the S/N = 3).     

Amperometric biosensor for the determination of creatine

An amperometric biosensor for the determination of creatine was developed. The carbon rod electrode surface was coated with sarcosine oxidase (SOX) and creatine amidinohydrolase by cross-linking under glutaraldehyde vapour. The SOX from Arthrobacter sp. 1–1 N was purified and previously used for creation of a creatine biosensor. The natural SOX electron acceptor, oxygen, was replaced by an redox mediating system, which allowed amperometric detection of an analytical signal at +400-mV potential. The response time of the biosensor was less than 1 min. The biosensor showed a linear dependence of the signal vs. creatine concentration at physiological creatine concentration levels. The optimal pH in 0.1 M tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris)–HCl buffer was found to be at pH 8.0. The half-life of the biosensor was 8 days in 0.1 M Tris–HCl buffer (pH 8.0) at 20 °C. Principal scheme of consecutively followed catalytic reactions used to design a biosensor for the determination of creatine     

Efficient oxidative degradation of 2-chlorophenol and 4-chlorophenol over supported CuO-based catalysts

A series of metal oxide catalysts for catalytic oxidative degradation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) were prepared, and the supported CuO catalysts were studied particularly. The supported CuO catalysts were characterized by XRD and NH3-TPD techniques, in which CuO/γ-Al2O3 exhibited high degradation activity. The addition of Na2O or K2O into CuO/γ-Al2O3 improved the oxidative degradation of CPs remarkably, in which Na2O was more efficient than K2O. Over CuO/γ-Al2O3-Na2O, CPs were completely converted and the liberation of the inorganic chloride from 2-CP or 4-CP reached 97% or 100% respectively at 30 ?C for 2 h. The supported CuO catalysts with good dispersion of CuO particles and less acid sites were favorable for the efficient oxidative degradation of CPs. In addition, the initial pH of the reaction solution was found to be an important factor which influenced the catalytic oxidative degradation of CPs and the initial pH of 11.2 and 9.8 was preferred for the oxidative degradation of 2-CP and 4-CP respectively over CuO/γ-Al2O3 catalyst.     

Capacitive biosensor for detection of endotoxin

A capacitive biosensor for the detection of bacterial endotoxin has been developed. Endotoxin-neutralizing protein derived from American horseshoe crab was immobilized to a self-assembled thiol layer on a biosensor transducer (Au). Upon injection of a sample containing endotoxin, a decrease in the observed capacitive signal was registered. Endotoxin could be determined under optimum conditions with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10⁻¹³ M and linearity ranging from 1.0 × 10⁻¹³ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ M. Good agreement was achieved when applying endotoxin preparations purified from an Escherichia coli cultivation to the capacitive biosensor system, utilizing the conventional method for quantitative endotoxin determination, the Limulus amebocyte lysate test as a reference. The capacitive biosensor method was statistically tested with the Wilcoxon signed rank test, which proved the system is acceptable for the quantitative analysis of bacterial endotoxin (P < 0.05). Figure The flow-injection capacitive biosensor system and the capacitive properties of the transducer surface, where C_SAM is the capacitance change of the self-assembled thiol monolayer, C_P is the capacitance change of the protein layer, C_a is the capacitance change of the analyte layer and C_Total is the total capacitance change measured at the working electrode/solution interface (modified from Limbut et al., 2006. Biosens Bioelectron 22: 233-240)     

Voltammetric determination of 2-chlorophenol using a glassy carbon electrode coated with multi-wall carbon nanotube-dicetyl phosphate film

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were dispersed into water in the presence of dicetyl phosphate (DCP), and MWNT-DCP composite film coated glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) were constructed. The electrochemical properties of 2-chlorophenol at a bare GCE and MWNT-DCP modified GCE were compared. It was found that MWNT-DCP modified GCEs significantly enhance the oxidation peak current of 2-chlorophenol and lowers its oxidation overpotential, suggesting great potential in the sensitive determination of 2-chlorophenol. Finally, a sensitive and simple voltammetric method was developed for the determination of 2-chlorophenol. The oxidation peak current increases linearly with the concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷–2.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, and the detection limit is 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ for 2 min accumulation. The method was successfully used to determine 2-chlorophenol in waste water samples.     

An amperometric biosensor based on acetylcholinesterase immobilized onto iron oxide nanoparticles/multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified gold electrode for measurement of organophosphorus insecticides

An acetylcholinesterase (AChE) purified from maize seedlings was immobilized covalently onto iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄NP) and carboxylated multi walled carbon nanotubes (c-MWCNT) modified Au electrode. An organophosphorus (OP) biosensor was fabricated using this AChE/Fe₃O₄/c-MWCNT/Au electrode as a working electrode, Ag/AgCl as standard and Pt wire as an auxiliary electrode connected through a potentiostat. The biosensor was based on inhibition of AChE by OP compounds/insecticides. The properties of nanoparticles modified electrodes were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), cyclic voltammograms (CVs) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The synergistic action of Fe₃O₄NP and c-MWCNT showed excellent electrocatalytic activity at low potential (+0.4 V). The optimum working conditions for the sensor were pH 7.5, 35 °C, 600 μM substrate concentration and 10 min for inhibition by pesticide. Under optimum conditions, the inhibition rates of OP pesticides were proportional to their concentrations in the range of 0.1–40 nM, 0.1–50 nM, 1–50 nM and 10–100 nM for malathion, chlorpyrifos, monocrotophos and endosulfan respectively. The detection limits were 0.1 nM for malathion and chlorpyrifos, 1 nM for monocrotophos and 10 nM for endosulfan. The biosensor exhibited good sensitivity (0.475 mA μM⁻¹), reusability (more than 50 times) and stability (2 months). The sensor was suitable for trace detection of OP pesticide residues in milk and water.     

A novel amperometric biosensor based on single walled carbon nanotubes with acetylcholine esterase for the detection of carbaryl pesticide in water

Amperometric biosensor is fabricated for the detection of carbaryl based on single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and acetylcholine esterase (AchE). The dispersion of SWCNTs in positively charged polyelectrolyte, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), possibly takes place due to weak supramolecular interaction between them, which then binds electrostatically to the negatively charged AchE at pH 7.4 using layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technique. The optical intensity of UV/vis spectra increased with the number of layers, indicating the build up of a multilayer coating on the electrode. The activity of acetylcholine esterase on modified electrode of 3 mm in diameter was found to be 0.2 U. The biosensor showed good sensitivity and stability towards the monitoring of carbaryl pesticides in water with the detection limit of 10⁻¹² g L⁻¹ and recovery of 99.8 ± 2.7% to 10⁻¹⁰ g L⁻¹. This protocol can be used for the immobilization of other enzymes to fabricate a range of biosensors.